Amid concerns of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, Rollingwood Mayor Michael Dyson said he’s grateful for the giving spirit of the city’s businesses and residents.
To stop the spread of the virus, Rollingwood staff had been on the hunt for disinfecting and personal protective equipment, or PPE, that would safeguard its employees including police officers, public works personnel and building inspectors.
“I’m on a laundry list of people who have been working pretty diligently to help find sanitizing equipment, sanitizers, PPE equipment,” Dyson said.
Although the city had slowly filled up space in City Hall with these supplies “fairly early” in the COVID-19 pandemic, he said staff has since run short on those items.
On March 1, Rollingwood grocer Trader Joe’s and Driftwood’s Desert Door Distillery stepped up with a donation of hand sanitizers.
“I never cease to be thrilled with how folks are just responding in this time of crisis,” said Dyson who has a family member affected by the disease. “I know this is impacting everybody. It’s remarkable to me how everyone is coming together.”
Some KN95 respirator masks—of similar specifications to K95 masks—and a box of gloves were also amassed by the city.
But Dyson said that more supplies are still needed, including:
• N95, KN95 or respirator masks of similar specifications.
• Clorox or bleach wipes.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Disposable, latex gloves.
• Disinfectant spray, such as Lysol.
• Protective gowns.
“We will not hoard them as a city,” he said of future donations. “There are residents who need them. There are organizations in and around our greater community that need these things.”
Whereas Dyson is now looking to a supplier in China to purchase these goods, he said that local jurisdictions are competing against each other for COVID-19 supplies, with Rollingwood at a disadvantage due to its small size and lesser volume needs.
“It’s surprising to me as a small town mayor that we’re having to do that,” Dyson said. “(City Administrator) Amber (Lewis) is having to reach out to private organizations and having to ask for donations.”
Development group seeks to assist local businesses, city finances sound
In light of the city’s small business closures due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Rollingwood Community Development Corporation will vote Thursday on a proposition to set aside $100,000 for a grant or loan program for Rollingwood businesses, Lewis said.
However, with two public hearings and City Council approval required to get the program started, she said the funds may not be available until July. Staff is currently working with the city attorney to see if the money can be distributed faster, Lewis said.
Most of the city’s revenues stem from ad valorem—property taxes—opposed to sales taxes, a structure that turned out to be a benefit to Rollingwood during COVID-19 restrictions, which forced the closure of a portion of its commercial sector, Dyson said.
“We’re doing pretty good,” he said of the city’s finances and the ability for the corporation to make the $100,000 commitment. “We’re anticipating tightening our belt a little bit through 2020 but we don’t think we’re going to necessarily feel the impact, budgetwise, until 2021. I’m certainly, at this point, glad that our revenue streams are stacked the way they are.”
Construction halted, contractors given opportunity to show project as essential
On March 25, Dyson issued a notice to builders and general contractors working in the city limits to close up their projects, at least to a safe stopping point, no later than March 27. He said some builders and contractors provided the city with an explanation as to why their projects constituted an essential need, such as completing the construction of a family’s home to an excavated swimming pool site that, if left untouched for a period of time during the area’s rainy season, could cause irreparable structural damage to the home.
These contractors responded by allowing only single trades on the project at any given time, restricting the job site to only plumbers on one day followed by electricians the next day, Dyson said.
The city is continuing to offer contractors the opportunity to discuss their projects with staff. However, Dyson said those individuals must offer a reason why the project should continue as an “essential need” as well as provide a health, safety and environment plan to keep employees and inspectors safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
City website adds COVID-19 resource section
In mid-March, Rollingwood officials added a resource section to its website, helping residents and businesses navigate changes in processes due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We wanted a place where people could go and have the most up-to-date information,” Lewis said.
The page is updated daily and she said more updates will be warranted as the city receives additional guidance regarding efforts to curtail the virus. More information is availalble on the city website.
Grace for late or non-payment of utility bills
Rollingwood officials have taken one step further a March 26 order by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to temporarily suspend disconnecting utilities for non-payment during the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to the PUC measure, the city is suspending customer penalties and interest accrued for late or nonpayment, effective for the April and May utility billing cycles.
“It’s already so tough and people are losing their jobs,” Lewis said. “It’s going to be enough for them just to make their water payment on time, let alone come up with penalties and interest.”
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